Art Deco East.

….East Meets West Art Deco Style.

On our drive South I had one full day in the DC area so there was little time to visit the large galleries. Browsing online, I found a smaller exhibit that caught my eye: Deco Japan. It was at Hillwood mansion, which also looked interesting, so we drove out for a look. I chose well.

If you search for Art Deco items on eBay you will find a huge range of stuff: from plant stands to garden sculpture, clocks to staplers, but that’s just the small stuff. There is so much more out there. Art Deco influenced art, architecture, furniture and the decorative arts, and I suppose, even lifestyle. Personally, when I think of Art Deco, I think of vintage decor, advertising, old Vanity Fair posters, or Posters for the Moulin Rouge. I never had any inkling that it became immensely popular in the far East. The brochure said about Art Deco: “Originating in Europe, the new art form, characterized by rectilinear shapes, geometric patterns, and bold colors, traveled the world as an ambassador for modernism and style” and it obviously took a big stop-off in Japan. Here are a few of my favourite pieces from the show:

This kimono with its Art Deco city-scape was my favourite. This is a colour photo!

This bunny reminded me a lot of Harriet Frishmuths “Speed” – see below

Yes, there were posters. I have no idea what this one was advertising but it sure looked like fun.

My second favourite piece – I liked the glasses and equally as much, the shadows they cast. I liked them so much I looked for reproductions in the gift shop, to no avail.

Aah, what Art Deco did for clocks. Doesn’t it remind you of a loonie? Is the bunny making a pot on a wheel or drinking a martini?

Classic. Flapper meets Geisha.

This was such a fun exhibit. Next time, another fun exhibit from the grounds outside at Hillwood.

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